Local briefs • May 1, 2009

Valiente DFW-LGBT Latino/a Alliance and LULAC 4871-The Dallas Rainbow Council team up for a Cinco de Mayo celebration on Sunday, May 3, at 3 p.m. at a private residence.

Members and individuals interested in membership with either organization are invited to attend. For further details about the event please visit www.valiente.org.

Dallas HRC’s Religion and Faith Subcommittee hosts town hall Thursday

The Religion and Faith Subcommittee of the Dallas Human Rights Campaign holds a town hall meeting on the topic of the LGBT community and LGBT individuals and religion.

The meeting will be held Thursday, May 7, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m, at the Resource Center of Dallas, 2701 Reagan St. Four panelists will begin the conversation about GLBT people, congregations and their shared journeys toward inclusivity and acceptance.

Pat Stone to discuss new memoir at Resource Center on Wednesday

The Resource Center of Dallas’ Phil Johnson Historic Archives and Library will host an appearance by author Pat Stone at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 6.

Stone, founder of Late Bloomers, will read from her memoir, "Awakening: How a 53 year-old Mother ‘Became’ a Lesbian," which traces Stone’s personal journey in discovering her sexual orientation and a new way of life. From her childhood, where she feels she is "different" to the end of her 35-year marriage, Stone candidly discusses how this led her to venture into the gay and lesbian community.

Stone also discusses the issues of coming out and details her life with her partner, Evie. She shows that the LGBT community faces the same issues as straight people by describing issues from her mother’s Alzheimer’s, to financial problems and weight challenges.

Stone grew up in Wichita Falls and attended the University of Texas. She is a founder and past president of the Dallas chapter of Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) and has received numerous awards for her advocacy work in the gay community. Stone and her partner live near Dallas.